Saurashtra ended Haryana’s challenge shortly after lunch on the finalday of their Super League tie at Rohtak today. But not before RajeshPuri had crafted a well deserved century. He remained unconquered on114 (199 balls, 15 fours, 3 sixes). Puri, along with last man MSakhalkar, held up Saurashtra’s victory charge with a stand of 68 in alittle over 18 overs that beefed up the total to 274. Firoz Bambhaniyafinally sent back Sakhalkar to produce figures of 5/54.The target for Saurashtra was 94 and openers AA Merchant (41 not out)and RC Vasanth Kumar (38) almost did it on their own with an 83 runstand. The visitors reached 97/1 in the 18th over to post a ninewicket victory and take home 8 points. Their next match is againstOrissa at Rajkot from Feb 24-27 while Haryana face off with Tamil Naduat Rohtak on the same dates.
Injury expert Ben Dinnery has claimed it is a possibility that Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi has suffered a setback, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Furuhashi’s absence
The 27-year-old was enjoying a brilliant first season at Celtic Park following his £4.86m move in the summer, contributing to 21 goals in just 27 appearances in green and white.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t featured since the end of December due to a reoccurrence of a hamstring problem he picked up against St Johnstone prior to the winter break.
Ange Postecoglou has admitted recently that the forward is still nowhere near a return to action, with the Hoops currently three points clear at the top of the Premiership.
The Latest: Dinnery’s comments
Dinnery, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding Furuhashi after Postecoglou’s comments, claiming it is possible that Furuhashi may have suffered a setback.
“The club are suggesting it’s likely to be after the international break.
“The Japan manager is hopeful that he might be able to play some part in the upcoming World Cup qualifying games.
“But he’d be getting a player who has played very little football and won’t be that sharp.
“But if he is in and around that squad, that might work for Celtic. It is an opportunity for him to get a few minutes in his legs.
“But with these types of injuries, there are no guarantees. They have high recurrence rates, particularly when someone has been out long-term.
“Postecoglou has almost backtracked on his initial comments where he said he was nearing a return.
“Has he suffered a setback? Is there another problem? It’s possible. Or is it the same issue niggling away?
“It’s not until you’re reintegrated into the squad that they’ll know the full picture.”
The Verdict: A worry…
Postecoglou is still without David Turnbull as well due to a hamstring problem, so Dinnery’s comments regarding Furuhashi won’t exactly fill supporters with confidence.
Hopefully, he hasn’t suffered a setback and will be back to contribute to Celtic’s title push over the coming months, but if he has, it is a major worry for the Hoops.
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It seems as if it could be touch and go for the Glasgow Derby against Rangers next month, a game that could be crucial in the race for the title.
In other news: BBC journalist reveals Celtic defender now out for ‘lengthy period’ as hamstring issues continue.
Marvan Atapattu hit an unbeaten 75 from 56 balls to lead Delhi Jets to a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Tigers in their third-place playoff in Panchkula. Atapattu’s decision to field first was vindicated with his bowlers doing a tidy job to keep Tigers to 141 – five of six bowlers used picked up a wicket – and the former Sri Lankan batsman capped a good tournament with a cool half-century in a tense match that went into the final over.While Monish Mishra and Niall O’Brien, another overseas import, fell early Atapattu began carefully, just picking up singles with the odd boundary. With the score on 41, Atapattu was given a reprieve when the umpire didn’t refer a run-out appeal. Atapattu was airborne, with neither the bat nor his feet grounded behind the crease, as a direct hit came in from cover. Craig McMillan, the Kolkata captain, was clearly miffed at proceedings but Atapattu continued to tick along.Into the twenties, he picked up the tempo with aggressive pulls and sweeps. In the 15th over Syed Abbas Ali, his partner in a 57-run third-wicket association, was run out for 22 and shortly afterwards Jai P Yadav hit a full toss to mid-off, but Atapattu was continued without a worry. He kept the run rate under control, judged the singles well, and took 12 runs from the penultimate over to effectively seal the deal. First ball of the 20th over, Atapattu rocked back and slapped a four to finish it off.Having chosen to field, Atapattu’s bowlers rocked Tigers early. Deep Dasgupta (28 from 25 balls) offered the only resistance but when he departed at 45 for 4 in the eighth over it looked tough for Tigers. Shibsagar Singh, with an unbeaten 30 from 20 balls, and McMillan, with a robust 27 from No. 8, did well but ultimately a risk-free, calculated effort from Atapattu proved the most profitable.
Greg Chappell, the coach, was candid in his assessment of the gains andlosses after yet another Indian campaign overseas ended with the bittertaste of defeat. Chappell addressed India’s batting failures in the lasttwo Tests, while praising the likes of Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan and SouravGanguly for their contributions. And though he didn’t say it in so manywords, a few major changes are likely ahead of the eight one-dayinternationals at home in January and February.After having much the better of the first three days, India surrenderedthe initiative on the fourth afternoon when they could add only 48 runsfor the loss of four wickets before tea. “We lost momentum during thatmiddle session,” said Chappell. “That certainly didn’t help the situation,and was a significant contribution to not winning the game. I also thinkwe failed to get as many as we should have got in the first innings [thelast five wickets contributed 19].”The bowlers have done a pretty good job through the series and to missout on the opportunity to win it is a little disappointing. I don’t wantto overstate things but I think it’s fair to say that our batting wasdisappointing in the last two Test matches, having won the first Test.”Asked about the mood in the dressing room after South Africa knocked offthe 211 needed with five wickets still standing, Chappell said: “We are alittle bit flat, disappointed in the fact that we got away to such a goodstart and then let it get away from us. You have got to look at thepositives as well. We have won [a Test] for the first time in South Africaand that in itself is something to be enjoyed. But the edge has been takenoff it a little bit by the disappointing batting in the last two Testmatches.”While South Africa’s big-name players came back with a vengeance in thefinal two Tests, Graeme Smith leading the way, India’s big guns neverboomed. “It’s hard to escape, but that’s the case,” he said. “I don’t wantto make too big a point at this stage. It’s posed quite a few questionsfor us and there are things we are going to discuss over the next week orso.”The positive side of it is that some of the young boys performed verywell. They showed they have got some skill, some temperament and goodpersonalities for international cricket. Sree’s bowling has beenoutstanding, Zaheer has been very good as well. Kumble has done a prettygood job for us, I don’t think he can be criticised for today. It justwasn’t a wicket that gave any of the bowlers a great deal of assistancewhich probably highlights how disappointing our batting was yesterday.”One man whose lack of form has come under most scrutiny is VirenderSehwag. After dropping down to the middle order in the first innings,where he scored 40, Sehwag continued his dismal run at the top with asecond-innings failure. “He’s certainly a concern but I don’t think he isour only batting concern at the moment,” said Chappell. “We are just notgetting enough consistent runs. We seem to be losing wickets in batches,which is something you try and avoid in international cricket,particularly in a Test match.”Looking at the tour as a whole, there are more questions than answers.Over the next week or so, when we get back to India and have a chance todigest what’s happened and discuss and debrief, we’re going to have tomake some decisions on which direction we go. There will be a few guysunder a bit of pressure, there’s no doubt.”At the same time, Chappell refused to accept that the decision to openwith Sehwag was the wrong option. “I don’t know that you can say that anydecision is a wrong decision,” he said. “It was a calculated decision. Hehas been an opening batsman, he made 40 in the first innings, and it was apretty slow, Indian-type wicket. We felt that if any wicket in SouthAfrica was going to suit him, this one would. With a lead of 40, if we hadgot an hour or so of Virender playing the way he can, all of a sudden thatlead would have been 100, and the whole game would have changed.”The other thing you have to take into consideration is that Karthik did afabulous job in the first innings, and then kept for 130 overs. I don’tthink we can ask too much of a young man. We asked a lot of him in thefirst innings and he delivered as well as anyone could. But you don’tnecessarily expect a stop-gap opener to be able to do the jobcontinuously.”
Even then, India were still in the game when South Africa went off on thefourth evening with 156 still needed. But Smith and Shaun Pollock came outand flayed the bowling, making the most of many gaps in the field and someatrocious ground-fielding. “What Rahul [Dravid] was trying to do wasminimise the number of boundaries to try and stretch that 211 as far aspossible,” said Chappell. “Obviously, we didn’t need them to get away witha string of boundaries early in the day. But to be fair, the wicket didn’tdeteriorate like a lot of people expected, including ourselves.”I’m not sure it changed greatly. There were some targets for the spinbowlers but it wasn’t a minefield by any stretch of the imagination. Thecentre areas, the major landing areas, were still pretty good, so Isuppose it makes our batting performance of yesterday that much moredisappointing. There weren’t that many gremlins in the wicket, thereweren’t that many balls flying around. It wasn’t up and down, or stayingdown. If you were prepared to get in and not do anything silly, thenbatting was not that difficult.”The team management will no doubt attract considerable flak for selectingMunaf Patel, who bowled just one over in the second innings, ahead ofHarbhajan Singh, though there were no indicators that the pitch wouldprove to be so spin-friendly. “It was never a choice between Munaf andHarbhajan,” said Chappell. “We wanted the batting that we had and wewanted the balance of the bowling that we had. To be fair, Harbhajanhasn’t bowled for a month, so it was going to be a big ask to push himinto the team as well.”It’s very easy to look at things in hindsight and say what if, what if.We made the choices based on what we saw and what we had. It wasn’t afitness thing at all.”One of the stories of the tour was the return of Sourav Ganguly, whoturned out to be the senior batsman who acquitted himself best. Gangulystarted with a vital half-century in the Johannesburg win, and was India’sleading scorer in the series with 214 runs. “He has done what he waschosen to do, which is to get in there and get runs,” said Chappell. “Ithought his performance yesterday in the difficult circumstance of havingto be rushed in at the last minute was exceptional.”The same couldn’t be said of most of his compatriots. Even as Australia’sversion of Dad’s Army signed off with an epic Ashes triumph, India’sappears to be on its last legs. Thankfully, the likes of Sreesanth andKarthik should ensure that the future isn’t as grey as the Cape Town skieswere this morning.
Shane Warne has decided South Africa’s unimaginative captaincy and their lack of bowling variety are their main weaknesses in the lead-up to Monday’s second Test in Melbourne. Warne, who became the world record holder for wickets in a year at Perth, also expected Justin Kemp would be his “new Daryll Cullinan” despite his match-saving half-century in Perth.Warne said the Proteas batting and bowling discipline was a strength but believed their bowling similarities and the attitude of Graeme Smith assisted Australia’s batting. “It was pretty hard work for bowlers but there is not a lot of imagination with their captaincy,” Warne said in . “It’s been a general trait of all [South Africa] captains over the years, especially Smith. That’s the way they play. They set normal fields and once the ball gets older they have a ring field and just bowl line and length.”South Africa clawed a draw at the WACA through Jacques Rudolph’s century and Kemp’s 55 in the second innings, but Warne was not convinced by Kemp’s performance and tipped him as his bunny. “Just the way he played … he top edged one that landed safe early on, there were a couple of close lbws and he played and missed once or twice an over,” Warne told the paper. “You need a bit of luck on day five and he had that and hopefully it will be my turn to get the rub of the green and the 50-50 this Test.”Warne said Cullinan, who was his most famous target throughout the 1990s, “could have a disguise on”. “From what I saw in Perth Ashwell Prince could also be a candidate to become a Daryll,” Warne said. “It’s either Prince or Kemp. They are both candidates but I am still leaning towards Kemp.”
A superb 146 by Fraser Watts put Scotland in a strong position at the end of the first day at Abu Dhabi. At the close, Kenya were 23 for 1 in reply to Scotland’s 300 for 5 declared.On a pitch expected to deteriorate as the match progressed, the toss was always crucial, and Scotland had no qualms about batting first on a low and low pitch after winning it. Watts and Douglas Lockhart (44) gave them a solid start, reaching 93 for 0 at lunch. Watts looked uncertain at the start, surviving two confident shouts for leg-before as well as a leg-side stumping by Abeed Janmohamed off the impressive Kalpesh Patel which looked extremely close.Although Lockhart fell straight after the resumption, Scotland pressed ahead, with Cedric English (22) and Gavin Hamilton (13) supporting Watts as he approached his hundred. The key stand came as Ryan Watson (57) helped Watts add 118 for the fourth wicket, quashing Kenya’s hopes of containing Scotland to a modest score. Both batsmen perished in the quest for quick runs in a bid give their bowlers a few overs at Kenya before the close.The tactic worked, as Malhar Patel was bowled by Asim Butt shortly before stumps. In an inexperienced Kenyan side, much will depend on Ravindu Shah, their one real class act, who was still there with 11 not out at the close.United Arab Emirates 70 for 2 trail Canada 337 for 6 dec (Surkari 139, Maxwell 88, Ali Asad 4-59) by 267 runs Scorecard Zubin Sukhari’s 139 put Canada in the driving seat at the end of the first day’s play at Sharjah. At the close, the United Arab Emirates were 70 for 2 in reply to Canada’s 337 for 6 declared.Canada won the toss and chose to bat on a what looked to be an excellent well-grassed pitch. Sukhari and Ashif Mulla got them off to a good start before Ali Asad pierced the defences of Mulla (11). Sukhari and Don Maxwell then punished some ill-disciplined bowling: Maxwell was especially severe on Zahid Shah and Muhammad Tauqir. At lunch, they had put on 112 to take the total to 157 for 1, with Sukhari on 68 and Maxwell on 65.Canada continued to dominate after the break, with Maxwell especially ruthless on anything short before becoming Asad’s second wicket for 88. Ian Billcliff, Canada’s stand-in captain after John Davison was forced to miss the match, maintained the run rate, while Sukhari completed an excellent hundred.Billcliff departed for 44, but the momentum of the innings continued unchecked, despite the loss of three wickets in quick succession as the declaration approached. Sukhari was the last man out, for an excellent 139.The UAE got off to a slow start, losing Naeemuddin Aslam for 19, and then Kashif Khan to a loose shot in the penultimate over.
Central Districts fast-medium bowler Michael Mason and Auckland one-day specialist Paul Hitchcock are the big winners in the New Zealand cricket teams to tour India and Pakistan named today.Mason, who twice served as 12th man for New Zealand last summer, wins his place as the result of the unavailability of fast bowler Shane Bond, who has still not recovered from injury to his back, and Chris Cairns whose partner is due to have a second child during the Test portion of the tour. Mason will have a head start in Indian conditions by flying to Chennai to take part in a Dennis Lillee-bowling clinic there. He will be accompanied by New Zealand Academy bowler Richard Sherlock.Also missing from the Test side are Matt Horne and Mathew Sinclair.Selection manager Sir Richard Hadlee said of Mason: “Michael has been a consistent performer in the State Championship and State Shield for several seasons and has earned his call up.”He has the ability to bowl long spells of consistent line and length which will be useful on pitches that may not offer a lot of assistance. Over the next two weeks Michael will be attending the Dennis Lilliee, Chennai-based, bowling clinic which should be of benefit to him.”Richard Jones, the Wellington batsman taken to Sri Lanka at the end of last season, has been included again in the side that was wholly predictable in all other respects.”Through circumstances beyond his control Richard was not given an opportunity when he was selected for the tour of Sri Lanka,” Hadlee said. “We still feel he has something to offer the team at the top of the order particularly in the conditions we expect to face in India.”It is anticipated that Jones and Lou Vincent will be considered to open the Test innings. Acting team coach Ashley Ross said Vincent had shown by scoring his Test century on debut that he had the capability to handle the job. “Role clarity” was what Vincent required after having been used as something of a spare part in the last two years.”By knowing where he is playing we hope that he can flourish to become the world-class player we believe he can be,” Ross said. Hadlee admitted the selectors had not been consistent with Vincent. He also added that Vincent, in extreme situations, also offered wicketkeeping back-up.Nathan Astle has recovered from knee surgery while Craig McMillan has also regained selection favour. Hadlee said McMillan had been left out of the Sri Lankan tour for form reasons and he had had time out to reflect. He had also been playing, albeit at only a club standard, over the winter with Lashings in England and he had a lot to offer still.”Craig is very keen to re-establish himself in the team as a senior player and to contribute again as he has in the past. His experience will be vital in India and the opportunity is now there for him to perform and reclaim his place long-term,” Hadlee said.The Test side is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, Robbie Hart, Richard Jones, Craig McMillan, Michael Mason, Jacob Oram, Mark Richardson, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent, Paul Wiseman.Hitchcock gets his chance again after being overlooked for the World Cup last season. His place is at the expense of Andre Adams. Hadlee said Adams’ World Cup performances had been disappointing and while there was no doubt he was a potential matchwinner with both bat and ball the selectors had some concerns about him at the moment.Ross said the selectors would be working with Auckland coach Mark O’Donnell to look at Adams’ training methods to ensure he was getting the most out of the work he was putting in.The one-day side to play in the tri-series against India and Australia is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Paul Hitchcock, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.Hadlee said the selectors have reserved the right to review the one-day selections before the Pakistan leg of the tour. He said that Cairns had been included in the one-day side as an allrounder which was what he wanted and the bowling he had been doing recently in the English county cricket in recent weeks had been encouraging.Still unresolved is the opening batting question. It is likely that Astle will remain at No 3. A statistical analysis of his performance had shown that whenever Astle survived the first five overs of the 50 overs he made a significant difference to New Zealand’s winning prospects and the selectors were keen to ensure that continued.That leaves Vincent as a possible opener although Hadlee said it could also be an opening for Brendon McCullum. He had shown his ability to bat up the order in the past.Ross said that McCullum was keen to assist in whatever role he could and wherever he could maximise his opportunities. While Chris Nevin’s performances had not been at the level the selectors wanted to see and he needed to show them more, Hadlee said.”With Andre Adams omitted from the side Paul will probably be required to bowl at the death where he will utilise his good change of pace. Paul also tends to skid the ball through which could make him very effective on the dry, low bouncing wickets that the team is likely to encounter.”Hadlee said Butler had been recalled to the one-day squad in the absence of Bond.”With Shane unavailable Ian will give Stephen Fleming a pace bowling option. He is maturing gradually as a pace bowler and he will gain more valuable experience on this tour.”The selection of the side with Jones, Mason and Hitchcock all not on New Zealand contracts showed that the selectors were prepared to look outside the selection system.
Former Somerset cricketer Ray Robinson has died at the age of sixty one after a long illness.Ray who was right handed batsman was on the staff at The County Ground for several seasons in the 1960’s, and scored runs regularly at both club and second eleven level.He was a regular member of the side that won the Minor County Championship in 1965 but appeared only once for the first team against Nottinghamshire at Taunton in 1964.Ray Robinson was also a considerable rugby player and appeared for Taunton RFC and Somerset. After leaving Somerset he followed a career in the police force.One of Ray’s three sons Andy played cricket for Somerset at Under-19 level, and played rugby for Bath and England.
ScorecardKraigg Brathwaite was again in the runs after his 94 in the first Test (file photo)•Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood scored half-centuries in stiflingly hot conditions as the West Indians moved to 8 for 303 on the first day of their tour game against a Victoria XI in Geelong. The two-day match is the West Indians’ only scheduled fixture ahead of the Boxing Day Test, which starts at the MCG next Saturday, and due to the BBL commitments of state players, the Victoria XI was made up largely of men without first-class experience.The temperature reached 43.8C at Simonds Stadium in Geelong on Saturday but Brathwaite seemed unfazed by the conditions and picked up where he left off from his second-innings 94 in the first Test in Hobart. He scored 78 from 175 deliveries in the first two sessions before he retired to give the rest of the West Indians a chance, although he was the only batsman who retired as the Victorians found seven wickets through the day.Rajendra Chandrika shouldered arms to the bowling of Jackson Koop and was lbw for 28, which brought Marlon Samuels to the crease in an aggressive mood. Samuels struck seven fours as he moved to 45 from 39 deliveries before he was caught behind off the bowling of fast bowler Jackson Coleman to leave the West Indians at 2 for 115 after they were sent in.Blackwood, who was coming off a pair in Hobart, combined with Brathwaite for a 99-run stand before Brathwaite retired, and Blackwood brought up a half-century of his own to give him some confidence ahead of Boxing Day. Blackwood was lbw for 69 to legspinner Jeremy Hart, who finished with 4 for 93 after running through the lower order in the final session of the day.Hart had Jason Holder for 9, Carlos Brathwaite for 4, and Jerome Taylor for 4, while Shai Hope, the opener who was overlooked for the Hobart Test, came in at No.8 and managed only 1 before he was lbw to Matthew Doric. Denesh Ramdin finished unbeaten on 38 from 73 deliveries.
Martin Skrtel’s agent has revealed that his client would consider a summer switch from Liverpool to Napoli.
The Slovakian international’s future at Anfield is far from certain, after manager Brendan Rodgers elected to drop him in favour of Jamie Carragher after some shaky displays last season.
This has led to rumours that the no-nonsense defender could walk away from Merseyside this summer, particularly with the Reds courting targets that would rival him for a starting berth.
Skrtel was voted Liverpool’s player of the season after the 2011/12 Premier League campaign, but his agent, Karol Csonto, has admitted that a move to Napoli – where he would link up with former boss Rafael Benitez – could tempt his client.
“Between Martin Skrtel and Rafa Benitez is a professional relationship that has gone on from the years they spent together at Liverpool,” he is quoted by talkSPORT via Radio Crc.
“[Napoli midfielder] Marek Hamsik and Skrtel are very good friends and they met last week. The midfielder requested information from Martin about Benitez, while Skrtel has asked questions about Napoli.
“But I think that if Napoli want to take Skrtel, they should first talk to Liverpool.”
Rodgers is said to see Skrtel as more of a squad player than a regular starter, and could sacrifice him in order to raise funds for summer additions.
The Northern Irishman is keen on Schalke’s Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Tiago Ilori of Sporting Lisbon, both of whom operate as centre-backs.
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Liverpool fans, should Brendan Rodgers let Martin Skrtel leave?